The physician prescribes cefaclor 0.5 g by mouth twice a day. The label shows cefaclor 500 mg capsule. How many capsules per dose?

The physician prescribes cefaclor 0.5 g by mouth twice a day. The label shows cefaclor 500 mg capsule. How many capsules per dose?

• A. 1 capsule
• B. 2 capsules
• C. 0.5 capsule
• D. 1.5 capsules

Answer: (A)

When you have a prescribed amount in grams and a capsule strength in milligrams, convert to the same unit and compare to the capsule content. The prescribed dose is 0.5 g per dose. Since 0.5 g equals 500 mg and each capsule is 500 mg, one capsule provides the exact dose needed for each administration. Therefore, the dose per administration is one capsule. If you were to take two capsules, you’d double the dose to 1000 mg; half a capsule would give 250 mg; 1.5 capsules would be 750 mg. So the correct per-dose amount is one capsule.

When you have a prescribed amount in grams and a capsule strength in milligrams, convert to the same unit and compare to the capsule content. The prescribed dose is 0.5 g per dose. Since 0.5 g equals 500 mg and each capsule is 500 mg, one capsule provides the exact dose needed for each administration. Therefore, the dose per administration is one capsule. If you were to take two capsules, you’d double the dose to 1000 mg; half a capsule would give 250 mg; 1.5 capsules would be 750 mg. So the correct per-dose amount is one capsule.